Hat-shaping and forming machine.



. H. L. STEVENS.

HAT SHAPING AND FORMING MACHINE.

APPLIUATIGN FILED 111111.10. 1913.

1,103,096, Patented July 14,1914,

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H. L. STEVENS'.

HAT SHAPING AND FORMING MACHINE.

APPLIUATIUN -HLED APR.10. 1913.

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H. L. STEVENS.

HAT SEAPING AND FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLBD APB. 1o, 1913.

1,`1 03,096. Patented July 14, 1914 j E E 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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H. L. STEVENS.

HAT SHAPING AND FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APB.. 10, 1913. 1,103,096, Patented July 14,1914

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H. L. STEVENS.

HAT SHAPING AND Folmlwv MACHINE.

APRLIOATION FILED APB. 10, 1913.

1,103,096, v Patented July 14,1914.

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HERBERT' L. STEVENS, OF GLEN RIDGE, NEW JERSEY.v

HAT S'HAPING AND FORMING MACHINE.

1,1os,oee.

Application filed April 10, 1913.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, HERBERT L. STEVENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Glen Ridge, Essex county, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Hat Shaping and Forming Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to hat shaping and forming machines, and more particularly to pressing and forming means therefor.

My invention, in a generic sense, is designed to produce a shaping and forming mechanism which admits of easy and eX- peditious manipulation and which will prof duce a formed hat of predetermined shape and contour with clean cut and distinct outline and without roughness and unevenness at the junction lines of the parts. These and other advantages and objects will appear from the detailed description following and from the drawings forming a part hereof and illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a pressing machine equipped with my invention, the upper die carrying frame and the die being shown in raised position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the press in the same position. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation, partly in section, showing the upper and lower die membersin their operative hat shaping position. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the steam boX removed from its supporting table. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the lower die member. Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively views in elevation of side and end sections of the upper die member. Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the assembled sections of the upper die. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the stripping plate. Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the die supporting plate. Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the gripping and pressing plate carried by the upper die member. Fig. 12 is a detail in plan and elevation of the slotted links connecting the upper die sections with the gripping and pressing plate. Fig. 13 is a detail in plan and elevation of the clamping button for the lower die member. Fig. 14 is top plan view of the upper die carriage detached. Fig. 15 is anlelevation of the crown top die plate.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 indicates the side members ofa supporting Specification of Letters Patent.v

ative position.

Patented July 14, 1914.

Serial No. 760,195.

frame, and 2 a swinging table secured to said frame by pivoted links 3.

4 is an operating lever adapted, through suitable connections, to swing the table from an upper central position to a lower forward position.

5-5 represent die supporting rods traveling through vertical bearings on each side of the frame and secured at their lower ends to a cross head 6 operating in a vertical slot 7 in each member 1.

8 is a die carriage adjustably mounted on the upper ends of the rods 5 5.

The cross head 6 is vertically reciprocated in the guide 7 by a double toggle on each side of the frame, said toggle arrangement comprising the links 9 pivoted at one end to the cross head 6, the links 10 pivoted at one end to the side frame members 1, and the connecting bars 11 pivoted to the free 'ends of the links 9 and 10. Each of the conwhich itself is mounted in the side members 1 at the rear end of the frame.

16 is a shaft mounted in the side members y of the frame at the forward end of the machine. 17 is a central support for said shaft which acts also as a guide for the treadle 14.

18 is an arm pivoted at one end on the shaft 16 and suitably connected at the other end tothe cross head 6.

19 is a pivoted link connecting the arm 18 with the treadle 14.

20 are links pivotally secured at one ,endY to the treadle 14 at the junction of the linksI 19 therewith, and at their other ends to springs 21` which have their other ends secured tol a cross-bar 22 extending` transversely of the frame. These springs normally tend to hold the treadle raised; z'. e. with the hat shaping die raised out of oper -By depressing either the treadle 14 or operating the lever 13, the upper die carrying frame will move downwardly. rlhe frame and the raising and lowering mechanism therefor so far described'represent an embodiment of a hat shaping press wellknown j Bolted to the table 2 `is a steam box 28 having its'upper surface provided with al .number of recesses 24 .adapted to receive coiled springs 25. The upper surface of this box is also provided'with positioning studs I 26 and with a rotatable locking button 27 `,suitably secured to the steam box, as bya screw, and adapted to engage withand de-` tachably hold to said steam box a lower die member 28 in the form of a crown shaping die. This lower die member is shaped exteriorly tol correspond to the contour of the inside of the crown of the hat to be shaped andis formed as a box-like structure having its upper edge formed Vwith, an annular shoulder adapted to receive and support a removable top plate 29. The edge ofthe top plate and the inner edge of the box 28 are preferably beveled as shown. The bottom vof this die member is provided with holes 30' registering with the positioning studs 26 and with an opening 31 .shaped similarly to the head of the button 27. The inner bottom surface of this lower die, adjacentand on eachside of the openings 31 therein, is formed with oppositely inclined raised cam surfaces32, and the' under side of the button 27 is provided with corresponding inclined surfaces 27a. TWhen the lower die member with its top plate removed is placed in position on the table 2 Vwith the studs 26 registering with the holes 30, the button 27 projects through tlie aperture 31 and within the interior ofthe die, and may be turned until its inclined surfaces 27 e bind on the cam surface 32, thus locking the lower die` member to the steam table.-y The top plate 29 may then be placed in positionV and the lower die member is completely assembled on the table;

A stripper plate 33', 4shaped to conform preferably to the contour of the top of the steam box and recessed to correspond to the external contour of the lower die member 28, is adapted to rest above thel steam box 23 and closely around the base of the die mem.- ber, the-"springs 25 normally holdingv this plate above the surface of the steam box.

lIn constructing the die, allowance is made,

of course, for the thicknessof the stripping plate. The partsso far described comprise the lower section of theshaping apparatus.

The upper section is constructed as follows:`

The upper 'die carriage `8 is, as has been.

.stated,adjustably mounted upon the threaded rods 5 5. This carriage 8 14)l has its arms 34 apertured to fit over the` threaded rods 5-5 and is provided with fourslots 35 radiating from acentral aper- ,ture 36. Adjust-ably mounted in and delower ends screwed into a die threaded rod 5l pending from the slotted portions ofk this carriage 8 are threadedv rods 37 having vtheir supporting plate 38. This plate is provided at its under side with a pluralityyof ears 39 to which are pivotally secured a plurality of upper die `sections40. These diesections are shown in .detail in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings,

andcoinprise preferably tw'o side and two end sections, as shown, each'lsection being provided with an ear 41 by means of which it is hinged to the supporting plate 88. f The vinner faces of these die sections assembled,

conform to and vary with the shape of the l exterior of the crown ofthe hat which it is `desired to form. The outer faces of these sections at their lower ends are formed with a bevel 42, the purpose of which will appear hereinafter.

Each die section, on its exterior above the beveled portion thereof, is provided with a stud or screw. 43.` These studs loosely en-v gage inthe slotted portions of links 44, the j lower ends of which are bifurcated, and pivotally support between them the head of a stud or screw eye 45 which in turn carries a brim pressing and clamping plate 46. This plate (see Fig. ll) is centrally recessed, as shown, and is adapted to closely inclose the lower beveled ends of the die sections 40.` The inner edge of this plate adjacent its rec-essed portion is formed with a bevel 47 correspondingto the bevel 42 on the die sections. v

Vith the structure so far described it will be obvious that the plate 46,` being loosely supportedl from the die sections 4l by means of the slotted links. 44,.is capable of movement relative thereto, such movement, because of the bevel onthe die sections and on the inner edge of the plate, causing said die sections to move inwardly to assembled p0- sition. Depending from ears 48 formed on the die supporting plate 3S are threaded presser rods 49 adjustable in'relation to said plate by means of the nuts shown. The

lower ends of these rods, when the die sections and clamping plate are moved relative to each other, are'designed and adapted to bear upon the upper surface of the clamping plate and; impartv pressure thereto.

j The sectional upper die, the lower die, and the clamping designed to press and shape the brim and sides of the hat crown.` I provide `means in addition for pressing and shaping the top of the crown in the formcf a crown plate 50 llocated within and between the dieksections 40 and supported from the carriage 8 by a provided with adjusting means similar to those on the threaded rods 37. ln addition I provide for further adjustment by forming the crown plate with a threaded sleeve or boss 52 with which vthe lower threaded end of therod 5l engages plate so far described are izo.`

and is held in adjusted position by a lock nut 53. The under surface of this crown plate 50 is, of course, shaped to correspond to the type of hat which it is desired to shape, its outer edges marking the junction line between the top and sides of the crown la is then operated to depress the upper die carrying frame. As this descends, the brim clamping and pressing plate 46 will first engage with the brim of the hat, pressing the stripping plate down upon the steam table and forcing the springs 25 down into their recesses. The die sections, by reason of their slotted connection withl said plate, will continue to move downwardly, their beveled faces contacting with the beveled inner edge of the clamping plate and the sections being forced inwardly against the brass band around the hat to press the crown against the outer surface of the lower die 28. At the same time, the crown plate 50 will press upon the top of the hat and make it conform to the contour of the upper surface of the lower die member, while at the same time the rods t9 will press against theclamping plate 4G, thus applying additional pressure to the brim of the hat. After the hat has been thus shaped, the upper die member with its pressing plate is raised from the lower die member, whereupon the stripper plate 33 will be forced upwardly from the steam table by the springs 25, stripping the formed hat from the lower die member. This is a very' advantageous function, as formed hats are frequently distorted by being removed by hand from the lower die member.`

I nd that by reason of the increased pressure I am able to secure, by means of the' wedging act-ion of the beveled faces ofthe die sections and of the pressing plate, and by means of the adjustments for varying the pressure, a hat of clean cut appearance is produced with the junction lines of the parts clearly and smoothly defined. The brass band, which is first placed around the crown of the hat, serves to prevent the marring of the sides of the crown by the junction lines between the sections of the 'upperA die.

It is, of course, understood that the upper and lower dies may be changed as desired to conform to various types of hat crowns.r

What l claim is:

l. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a lower die. support, a lower die member thereon, an upper die support, anupper die membery carried by said support and including a plurality of die sections mounted for movement relative to said support, means for moving one of said die members relative to and in operative engagement with the other, a brim clamping plate centrally apertured and encircling said upper die sections, said plate being loosely suspended from said sections and being movable relative thereto, the adjacent edges of said die sections and plate coperating, whereby when said die members are moved into coperating engagement, said plate moves relative to said die sections, thereby forcing said die sections into assembled shaping position relative to the lower die member.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a support, a lower die member thereon, an upper die support, an upper die member supported thereby and comprising a plurality of die sections movable relative thereto, a clamping plate inclosing said die sections. and movable rela tive thereto, means for moving one of said die members relative to and into operative plate associated with said die sections re-` cessed to inclose the same and having its edges adjacent said recess correspondingly beveled and coperating with said die sections, means for moving one of said die members relative to the other and into operative engagement therewith, and means automatically stripping the yshaped article from a die member upon the disengagement of said die members.

4L. In a device of the character described, the combination of a support, alower diev mem-ber secured thereto, an upper die support, an upper die member carried thereby and comprising a plurality of movable die sections pivotally supported and having their lower exterior faces beveled, a relatively movable gripping and pressing plate connected with said die sections and vcentrally recessed to inclose the lower beveled portion of the same and havingits edges adjacent said recess correspondingly beveled and coperating with said die sections,

pressure to said pressing plate, and meansk f automatically stripping the shaped articlel from' a vdie member upon the disengagement of said die members.v

5.*-In a device of the chara'cterdescribed,

`the combination of a stationary support, a. lower die member secured thereto, an upper die'v support, `a-plurality of die'sections pivotally supportedl thereby and having their lower exterior faces beveled, a relatively movable gripping and pressing plate connected to said die sections centrally recessed to inclose the same and having its adjacentr edges correspondingly beveled and' coperating with said die sections, pressure applying" connec' s 'ing vthe lower portions of said die segments Iand having its edges adjacent lsaid segme'nts correspondingly beveled and coperating` therewith', means carried by said diev tions between said movable support and said pressure plate, a top shaping plate within said die sectionsmean`s for moving said upper die sections and theirrconnected parts relative toand into operative engagement with said lower die member, and means automatically stripping the shaped article' from' said ylower die member when said upper die sections are moved from engaging position.

6. In' a device of thel character described, thecombination of a stationary support, a lower crown formingdie memberv secured thereto, a movable upper die support, a plurality of crown` shaping die sections pivotally supported therefrom and having their lower' exterior faces beveled, a brim gripping andv pressing plate suppo-rted adjacent to and' inc-losing the lower portionsof said die sectionsand movable relative thereto, said plate having its edges adjacent said die sections correspondingly beveled and copbox and die, an upper die carrying plate erating therewith, means for moving said upper die sections and their connected parts into operative engagement with 'said lower die mein-ber and for applying pressure to said brim gripping plate, and means associated with said lower die member automatically stripping the formed hat therefrom when the upper die sections are lmoved out of engagement therewith.

'7L In a device of the character described, the combination of a stationary support, a lower crown forming die member secured thereto, a movable upper die support, a plurality of crown shaping die sections pivot-v ally supported therefrom and having .their lower exterior faces beveled, a brim grip* ping and pressing plate supported adjacent to andv inclosing the lower portions of said die sections and movable relative thereto, said plate having its edges adjacent said die sections correspondinglybeveled and coperating therewith, atop shaping die plate depending from said movable support and inclos'ed by said die sections, ineansA for' movingsaid upper rdie sections and their connected parts into operative engagement withsaid' lower die member and for applyingv pressure to said brim gripping plate, and means associated with saidlower die member automatically stripping the formed hat therefrom when the upper die sections are moved out of engagement therewith.

"8L In a device of the character described,

the combination of a stationary support, a

lower crown forming die member'secured thereto, a` depressible stripper plate 'inclosing' said lower die member, aV movable carriage, a die carrying. plate suspended there `from,-a plurality of upper crown shapingy die segments p'ivotally supported from said plate and having the lower portions of 1their vouter'faces beveled, a brim gripping plate movably suspended from and incloscarrying' platefforapplying pressure to said kbrim gripping plate, means for reciprocating said carriage to bring said upper die members and their associated parts into operative hat shaping position on' said lowerv die member, and means automatically lift 'ing'said' stripper plate to strip the formed hat from said lower die member upon the withdrawal of the upper die sections.

9. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a stationary support, a

vsteam box thereon, a lower crown forming diemember detachablypositioned on said steam box, a' stripper plateA encircling said,

lowerl die member, springs located in recesses in said `steam box and normally extending said stripper plate above the face thereof, a movable carriage above said steam adjustably supported therefrom, a plurality `of crown shaping upper die. segments pivvotally supported from the underside of said plate and having their lowerouter faces sa-id diesegments, adjustable pressure bars depending from said die plate and adapted to engage with saidclamping' plate, an adjustable crown' top die plate suspended from l said die carrying platevand inclosed by said die segments, means for moving said carp s riageand its connected parts relative to and into hat sha-ping engagement with said 'lower die, and means for raising said carriage from such engagement.

l0. Ina Vdevice of the character described,

the combination of .a lower die support, a-

lower die member thereon, an upper die support, an upper die member carriedby 4said support andfincluding a plurality of die sections mounted for movement relative to said support, means for moving one of said die members relative to and in operative engagement with the other, a brim clamping plate centrally apertured and encircling said upper die sections, said plate being loosely suspended from said sections and being movable relative thereto, the adjacent edges of said die sections and plate cooperating7 whereby when said die members are moved into cooperating engagement, said plate moves relative to said die sections, thereby forcing said die sections into assembled shaping position relative to the lower die member, and pressure applying members carried by said upper die support and arranged to engage said brim clamping plate When the parts are moved to clamping position to impart pressure thereto,

l1. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a support, a lower die member secured thereto, an upper die support, an upper die member carried thereby and comprising a pluralityT of die sections movably supported, a clamping plate inclosing said die sections and movable relative thereto, means for moving one of said die members relative to and into operative engagement With the other,v coperating parts on said plate and said die sections,

adapted, When said die members are soy moved, to force said die sections into assembled shaping position, means for applying pressure to said clamping plate, and means automatically stripping a formed article from a' die when said die members are disengaged.

HERBERT L. STEVENS. Witnesses:

MARY E. GOUGH, EMMAfE. BROWN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner o! Patents,

' Washington, D. C. 

